ECCE Scheme Eligibility

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free pre-school places for children aged three to five and a half.

The State pays a capitation fee to participating preschools. In return, they provide a preschool service, free of charge, to all children within the qualifying age range for a set number of hours over a set period of weeks. In general, many children qualify for 2 years free pre-school.

For more information contact the Department of Youth & Children's Affairs:

Childcare Directorate

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

43-49 Mespil Road

Dublin 4

Ireland

Tel:(01) 647 3000

Fax:(01) 647 3101

Homepage: http://www.dcya.ie

Email: childcare@dcya.gov.ie

Or visit the Citizens Information Service here.